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Get relief from dry eye disease. Learn what works in this video. Related Videos: What is Macular Degeneration? (Part 1 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UslvRSzsBLI Treating Macular Degeneration (Part 2 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxCEclXodeQ How the Eyes Work? (Part 1 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlVKmXZDIIM Common Vision Problems (Part 2 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPUfZafTUBM What is Dry Eye Disease? (Part 1 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-gvaNo093s Treating Dry Eye Disease (Part 2 of 2) | HealthiNation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBKD06AY14 TRANSCRIPT: Treating Dry Eye Disease Unfortunately dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition: this is why is also called chronic dry eye disease. Chronic means it does not typically resolve on its own, but the condition can be treated. Before you can start a treatment plan, you'll need to be diagnosed with dry eyes. This is best done by an ophthalmologist (a specialist of the eye), or if necessary, a primary care doctor. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, and will examine your eye. He or she will be looking at the surface of the eye, how often you blink, and whether there are any problems with your eyelids, like not closing all the way. If you are diagnosed with dry eyes there are a number of different treatment options available. And, it's possible that you'll be using them in combination. The first line of treatment is the use of artificial tears. These help lubricate the eye, ease the irritation and may improve sight. Typically, one drop is used in each eye four times per each day. Though, if your dry eyes symptoms are more severe you may use them more often. The artificial tear gels are typically used before bedtime, because the thick gel can cause blurry vision. Some of these artificial tears contain preservatives, which may cause inflammatory side effects in some people. If you are using these products often, your doctor might suggest you use preservative-free formulations, which can be more expensive. In addition to using artificial tears, you can make some behavioral changes to help minimize dry eye symptoms. These might even help if you are not using artificial tears. First, if you are working long hours at a computer, reading or doing other activities that require you to maintain focus—like driving—try to blink more often. Blinking can help redistribute tears across the eyeball's surface, keeping it moisturized. If you can, try to avoid rooms that are dry because of, for example, air conditioning and heating. And, finally use a humidifier to add moisture to the air around you. If these treatments are not providing enough relief, your doctor may prescribe stronger eye drops. These contain an immunosuppressive drug called cyclosporin. They can help relieve the dryness associated with the condition, and may help to reduce the overall severity of dry eye disease. The drops can, however, cause side effects, including burning and stinging sensations in the eye. Certain devices like special contact lenses, goggles, or guards that attach to eyeglasses may be used to create a moisture trap around the eyes. The contacts are individually created to custom fit each person's own eyeball. They work by trapping a layer of tears between the eyeball's surface and the contact lens. The goggles and eyeglass guards help maintain humidity in the air around the eyes to minimize the evaporation of tears. But, these can be cumbersome...and just plain unattractive to wear. Finally, if your dry eyes are caused by a problem with your eyelid, certain surgeries to reconstruct the lid, or the shape of the opening around your eye might help. These are usually reserved for the most severe cases. Chronic dry eyes can be a literal pain. But, you do not have to suffer unduly. There are many effective treatment options that can ease the irritation ...